Description
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Lasagna is a decadent mashup of two family favorites: a juicy cheeseburger and a classic lasagna. It features savory layers of garlic-infused ground beef simmered in marinara, tender noodles, and a unique creamy ranch-Parmesan sauce that takes the flavor to the next level. Topped with bubbly Mozzarella and baked to golden perfection, this hearty casserole is the ultimate comfort food for anyone who loves bold, cheesy goodness.
Ingredients
The Layers
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked al dente
- 1 lb ground beef (lean preferred)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
The Creamy Ranch Mixture
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: 1/4 cup crumbled bacon (highly recommended for the savory crunch)
Instructions
Prep Noodles
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Boil the lasagna noodles in salted water until they are just under al dente (still firm). Drain and lay flat on parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Cook Beef
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the minced garlic until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the marinara sauce and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for a minute to combine.
Make Creamy Sauce
In a small bowl, mix together the ranch dressing, grated Parmesan cheese, and crumbled bacon (if using).
Assemble
Base: Spread a thin layer of the beef marinara mixture on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
Layer 1: Place 3–4 noodles over the sauce. Top with a portion of the beef mixture, drizzle with the ranch-Parmesan sauce, and sprinkle with Mozzarella.
Repeat: Repeat the layers (noodles -> beef -> ranch -> Mozzarella) until all ingredients are used.
Top: Finish with a final layer of noodles topped with any remaining sauce and a generous layer of Mozzarella cheese.
Bake
Cover the dish with aluminum foil (spray the underside with oil so cheese doesn’t stick). Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Rest & Serve
Let the lasagna rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Why? This allows the layers to set so they don’t slide apart when you cut into it.
Notes
Noodle Texture: Undercooking the noodles slightly is crucial. They will absorb moisture from the sauce while baking. If you boil them until soft, they will turn mushy in the casserole.
The “Cheeseburger” Twist: For an even more authentic cheeseburger flavor, you can swap half the Mozzarella for sharp Cheddar cheese and add diced onions or pickles to the beef mixture.
Foil Trick: To keep the cheese from sticking to the foil, tent it slightly over the dish or spray the side touching the food with non-stick cooking spray.
Make Ahead: You can assemble the entire lasagna a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Add 10–15 minutes to the initial baking time if cooking from cold.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: cheeseburger lasagna, ground beef casserole, ranch recipes, creamy lasagna, family dinner ideas, kid friendly meals, comfort food lasagna